Real Road Test: 1972 Sunbeam Rapier (OMG NOT H120 LOL)

More Rootes action as I drove a Sunbeam Rapier Arrow, based on the Hillman Hunter. It has a 1725cc engine, twin carburettors and a truly wonderful exhaust note, just like the Alpine I drove recently! But what is this baby Plymouth Barracuda like to drive?
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[@robinforrest7680]

So classy these Rootes group cars.such a pity they are not still with us. This one looks great.

[@davidjones332]

There's a forgotten item, the switch to turn off the dashboard lamps. That was a relic of the days when you had to have parking lamps, even in a 30 mph zone, so turning off three or four 3w bulbs might save your battery for the morning. Nowadays people just park anywhere without lights, facing the wrong way, on blind corners, on the pavement. The bobbies of yesteryear would have kittens!

[@steved3702]

My HA Viva had that! Wondered what the point of it was.

[@maxflight777]

David… super comment ! 💯 %

[@MrChris1316]

He did mention it

[@mr_camperator]

I have to say thanks to this comment section for me to find all the curious things about my rapier, recently bought one and mostly of the switches where self explainatory, but some of em... Oh boi... Do I had to look it over... 😂

[@redbackrecordings]

Was expecting Roxy music love is the drug to stay playing at the end!

[@09gearchange]

This brought back some memories. I used to come out of school and one of the dads picked up his son in one. I used to think "rich bastard" lol.

[@frothe42]

What a gorgeous vehicle, I love everything about it! The sound of the engine, fantastic! Excellent review!

[@martinmcdonald4207]

This brought me back to the mid seventees when i was a teenager and my old man bought a 4 year old Sunbeam Rapier just like this fast back model. It was an unusual colour in a metellic Mauve. But i do remember the overdrive system. Cool car, happy memories. R.I.P. Dad.

[@silverqoon]

My mother used to own one of these in the late 70's! I have a single picture of it and it sadly met a bad end being scrapped but it was the last car my mother ever owned. Absolutely loved the car and she still talks about it very fondly even now. So happy to finally see a video on it from you Ian! And hers was a yellow/beige colour model. 😀

[@rumcove07]

Wonderful to see this posted as I have just taken delivery of what I think might be the finest example of a 1969 Sunbeam Alpine Coupe in the US. 3800 original miles, midnight blue with a black interior, always garaged and in showroom condition. It came out of a 100 car collection in Nashville TN and I will post a video soon. Thanks!

[@Draxindustries1]

I also have one, never registered and 23 miles on the speedo..

[@rumcove07]

@@Draxindustries1 Are you in the US Drax? I would love to see pictures as I definitely stand corrected!

[@Draxindustries1]

@@rumcove07 Hi, the car is in the UK but I live in Russia. We deal in ex CCCP tanks, gas turbine helis (HIND) & jet warbirds (MIG 23's) Plus gas turbine gensets/ APU's and URAL 6x6 375D trucks. We buy in Bulk.from the UK specialist type stainless fixings like bolts/ nuts/ washers/ screws ect for our sister company who refurbish automatic weapons like Kalashnikov & MG42 for the Israli army. The next time I'm there I'll take some pictures of my car which is in a private collection of Rootes cars which belongs to the stainless fixings companies MD. All the best to you..

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Lovely looking Car and what a lovely noise it makes too.

[@thefloorkiller]

Glad you did a review on a Rapier, I have one a 1968 one, I love it love driving it turns many heads as many people have never seen one before

[@jono.pom-downunder]

When I was a kid a guy down the road from me had one of theses in white, I always thought it was a good looking thing, I thought, one day,one day, now living down under they are rear as. Thanks for the boyhood memories.

[@hutchcraftcp]

Just saw a photo of one in a scrap yard here in the USA. I think it's a very attractive car

[@thetrickeys2635]

Great review, I owned a Sunbeam Rapier in the mid 70’s, red with a black vinyl roof. As a 20 year old I was the envy of all my mates. A few things you forgot to mention, they leaked like a sieve, and like all cars of that era rusted out, the reason I had to get rid of mine. Happy days.

[@chrisweddle2577]

Claret?

[@timwingham8952]

I never understood why these didn't set the country alight. They had the looks in spades inside and out! Maybe it was was because people just didn't connect with the manufacturer identity? Whatever the reason this version of the Rapier is one of the best looking cars ever. (In my humble opinion.) Thank you so much for another excellent, informed, and informative review.

[@finbarrsaunders]

Beautiful example of a lovely car.

[@andrewpreston4127]

Re..; Plymouth Barracuda. In 1981 I owned a '74 Plymouth Satellite Sebring, same shape as the then current Barracuda. The muscle car era was just about over by 1974, and the Satellite with it's 318 cubic inches motor had just 150 bhp. I took the car to Dublin with me on a work contract. One late afternoon , driving 'home' along the coast road out of Dublin, I was listening to a radio report that the Radio Caroline ship had run aground on the Isle of Man. My attention strayed , and I realised that I was heading for the back of the car in front, which had braked. I ploughed into the back of it. I got out. The back of the Hillman Hunter was almost demolished, length reduced by about 18 inches. Yet when I looked at my car, the only visible damage appeared to be a strip of bonnet chrome which had pinged from its fasteners. I read afterwards that the Plymouth's massive bumper had a couple of shock absorbers behind it. Really like the instrument panel of the Rapier.

[@robertcoldham6849]

My grandmother bought a new H120 in 1968 which my parents then had as our car for many years until my mother in mid 80's wanted something newer to replace it as its getting too old, my dad loved it and would never sell it hence its been stored in the garage ever since. Its now in my garage waiting for me to restore it. Its now the same age as me at 53 years old, genuine 65k miles. One day...

[@andrewgardner9615]

My Grandma and Grandad used to regularly drive their early Hillman Hunter to see their daughter (my aunt) who has lived in Switzerland since mid 60s-They would also include a trip to South Of France!Never went with them as I was only 7 in 1975 when they sold the car.The thought of travelling such distances back then amazed me..

[@lazycalm41]

Gorgeous cars HubNut! In the late 70's one of my closest mates had a Cedar green H120 with white side stripes. We re built and tuned the Holbay engine with re tuned Webber 40DCOE's and a balanced and re ground crank, new valves and had the block bored out to around 1800cc. it put out around 130BHP after that and in a straight line would eat 3.0 V6 Capris for breakfast! Lovely memories of a wonderful looking car!

[@Bob-nu3xe]

I had the GLS Holbay Ford boys didn't know what hit em!!! lol

[@lazycalm41]

@@Bob-nu3xe The GLS Hunter was like the Rapier a real barnstormer back in the day!

[@volt8684]

Eat 3.0 capris which were V 6 huge torque and 138 bhp …. Unlikely

[@lazycalm41]

@@volt8684 Car was also lightened a lot, competition clutch, lightened fly wheel. I was in the car myself when said Capris were devoured!

[@markclevedon81]

These were beautiful and underrated cars. The H120 variants were quick and long legged grand tourers and sounded great. I had a 1975 Rapier in red with period Cosmic alloys when I was 19 - it was a real head turner even then in the late 80s. This is a stunning example. A great article and nice to see Rootes/Chrysler vehicles being featured.

[@Brian-nj7oj]

Love your videos. None of the sarcasm like that a well known person comes out with!.Coming from Coventry I adore all this. When i left school in 73 I worked for a company called Awson Motor Carriage Company. We made the dashboards and door cappings for Triumph 2.5 pi, Dolomite, Toledo, TR7, Stag and Spitfire. My dad always bought Rootes/Chrysler stuff. In fact 7of us drove to Kiev in 1969. 4,000 miles in 16 days through countries that no longer exist!. Was thinking how sad it is that these firms are no longer and I was thinking about all the car makers there were in Coventry. Hillman Humber Sunbeam Singer Commer/Karrier (Luton)/ DaimlerJag , Standard/ Triumph. London Taxis ( carbidies) Leyland also produced excellent lorries , tractors , busses and, here, the Coventry Climax lift trucks. A great shame Leyland was run down as it was an extremely important business in the Midlands... Also plenty of motor cycle manufacturers here too, Triumph Francis Barnett etc.If you ever get chance please visit the car museum in Coventry!!

[@allanwinter4991]

The brother in law had the H120 version back in its day. Made a great induction roar through the twin weber 40's.

[@andrewbannister4515]

My Uncle Brian had one of those in the late 70s and, get this, the horn played Colonel Bogie!

[@stuartbourne5135]

I remember that the Commanding Officer at my ATC squadron had one of these when I joined in 1978. I couldn't believe how many dials and gauges were in it compared to our Viva HC. As well as the standard dials he had wired an altimeter into it !

[@stuwhite2337]

The viva gls had an even better dashboard!

[@caw25sha]

No turn and slip indicator?

[@raypurchase801]

I got my ATC gliding wings, back in the day. I've fitted a machmeter to the dash on my 1958 Austin A35.

[@theshowman8478]

My Uncle gave me a ride in his Sunbeam Rapier when I was a youngster. Hot day in a seaside town, windows down, what a ride ! Still remember it well. Great video.

[@jimhester2627]

Sound takes me back to my childhood. Fantastic.

[@nervo6321]

Lovely example...love the colour

[@philthorpe4549]

Oh that noise! Takes me straight back to all of the 1500 Avengers (There were a few) that I owned in my youth during the late 70s and early 80s. Astonishing that any of these Rootes cars still survive. Thinking back, most of the ones I owned were maximum 7 or 8 years old and they were lace curtained with rust even at that age. Scrapyard refugees all of them, but I had some fun in 'em.

[@wrathofbod]

Same Colour my Dad had, with overdrive & an 8 track, I loved it & would love one now .

[@dmodeboy]

That's a beauty. Definately makes my top cars list. That exhaust note is just perfect. The dials look a bit like a plane cockpit! Do like the pillarless look too 👍

[@andrewf4797]

I had a Hunter GLS with the Holbay engine many years ago, and really liked it, but I always wanted a Sunbeam Rapier H120 in that strange yellowy green colour. Thanks for this.

[@mikemartin2957]

Hunter GLS ( a good but very underated car )sounded really nice with those wire mesh air filters, once the orange fiberglass air box was removed. The roar & bark thru the twin Webber's was far better than Marina TC/ MGB s on SU carbs or the Vauxhall Magnum on Strombergs. The GLS handled better than both those & certain MK1 & 2 Capris.

[@johnclayden1670]

Yep, I had one new in 1973 as well. It was a great car and its performance could surprise many sports cars of the day. 0-60 in 9.6 seconds when new was quite something for the day. 4-speed gearbox with O/D on 3 and 4 (2 too?) made for impressive economy on a run.

[@andrewf4797]

@@johnclayden1670 talking of surprising performance, I remember one night when I was coming back home late at night I saw a car behind me, so I accelerated, they kept up so I kept going faster and faster, until after a couple of miles I suddenly saw them switch on a blue light. Pulled over by an unmarked police car. After a couple of the usual checks, the 2 coppers then started asking me about my car, what engine it had etc. and how they had had trouble keeping up with me (they were in a Mk4 Cortina). They seemed impressed by the Hunter, and then, to my great surprise, without booking me, just told me to drive home more slowly.

[@petersargeant1555]

@@andrewf4797 I was waiting for you to tell them that you were speeding because your wife ran off with a copper and you thought he was bringing her back.

[@frglee]

I haven't seen one of these for decades; it was a favourite car of my youth with its unique styling. Always nice to see Rootes group and Chrysler UK cars, there was always something slightly different about them. As for Linwood cars, you should pay a visit to Glasgow's new Riverside Transport Museum sometime. Pride of place seems to be given to the very first Hillman Imp, which many a misty eyed Scot stands and stares at.

[@MorristheMinor]

As a Glaswegian, I visited the Riverside and was quite annoyed that, due to lack of space, the LAST car built at Linwood, a Chrysler Avenger estate was no longer on permanent display. As someone wrote in the visitor book on the Riverside's opening day - 'The Kelvin Hall was better.'

[@maxflight777]

Not just misty eyed Scots !! Even us (Brummie ) Sassenachs can accept that it was a far better car than the mini !

[@triodehexode]

@@MorristheMinor Another over priced warehouse mascaraing as an Architectural "gem" the city fathers are so taken in by these international fashion statements. The Kelvin hall and its predecessor the old tram depot were much better.

[@MorristheMinor]

@@triodehexode Yes, I agree with you there, and I studied Architecture at Strathclyde! Albert Drive is the old tram depot you're thinking of, I think it's still in use as the Tramway (quel surprise) theatre.

[@triodehexode]

@@MorristheMinor That's the one, exhibits much more accessible as was the Kelvin hall My dad took me to see moon rock in there as well. What do you think the Stalinist student accommodation around High St. Sorry this is a great car channel. Just think the modern museums try too hard some times and fail. The new one is not too bad from the river but looks like a factory shed on the other side. Cars are not ment to be stuck to a wall. Councils like their designer name archatctets they can swan off to sunny climes looking up their work. White concrete and stainless steel don't work too well in a damp moss ridden clime.

[@rayjennings3637]

Can you remember what the mileage was, Ian? I bought a Hunter DL 1725 Estate brand new in 1972 for £840 to take back to W Germany (in the Army) a couple of months later but either driving on or coming off the ferry, the exhaust grounded and ripped apart. A garage managed to do a temporary repair for us to get back home in Buckeburg. A few days later, it was in the local Rootes agent for repairs and they fitted a full length stainless steel exhaust. That did sound racy!

[@HubNut]

I can't, but it had been thoroughly restored, making mileage a bit of a moot point.

[@pickering746]

Love the exhaust note 👌 Nice to see more Rootes Group cars 😎

[@55rimshot]

My uncle who worked for mines rescue had a red Alpine. I thought it was gorgeous, especially with the rear Windows down.

[@stephenholland5930]

Yes, I love the hardtop look. The '66 and '67 Dodge Charger being my favourite.

[@SiCrewe]

Having owned a selection of older cars, I tend to forego the rose-tinted glasses when watching your reviews but this looks like a genuinely nice, tidy, comfortable car to be inside.

[@matthewc.419]

My grandfather had one , when I was around 4 years old......my grandfather and his son my uncle went to a scarp yard for a new engine for it , was painted in orange that stuff you used to coat metal ....I catnt remember what it was It was a very very very cool car

[@hugobloemers4425]

Now I know which car Hollywood used to get the sound track from for all European cars that featured in all their 60's and 70's movies ;)

[@Skootavision]

Stumbled on this video as my Sister and I were talking earlier about a holiday we had as children, in Cornwall. My Dad was good friends with a family who had a car dealership so would sometimes borrow a car for our holiday if our own one wasn't up to it (we had a family mini for years). We loved this car - he borrowed it and we had some amazing days out with it. Overdrive seemed magical to us, but bear in mind I was about 6 and remember Dad tricking me saying it had a button that could turn the cat's eyes on in the road 😂 Thanks for this trip down memory lane

[@richard63]

A car I have never seen before, being an Aussie. But I sure wouldn't mind seeing one up close. And I don't understand why other historic motoring media have never highlighted this car before. It looks a lot more attractive than a lot of British suburban cars around that era. Well done Hubnut , this car has peaked my interest.

[@wigs1098]

They were sold in Australia, albeit in small numbers. I live in SA and have one, and I kmow of at least one other in the state.

[@alexanderheath6662]

They were based on the Hillman Hunter ARROW range, and the back lights came from the Hunter estate car..

[@166PolarBear]

There was another model that shared the same shell called the Alpine but it was s more basic model with single carburettor and I think no rev counter

[@MorristheMinor]

I'd read 'Swing, Hammer, Swing' which details just how needlessly complex the assembly line at Linwood was. According to the book there was a single production line where 8 different version of the Imp were built (plus export models) and at all at the same time! The idea was that the details of what spec the car was to have was telexed down the line with the car. Quite often the poor chap in charge of the telex would be found at the end of the line, tearing his hair out with an American spec Imp with right hand drive. After the Chrysler take over in 1970, the Imp range was cut back to two, the Hillman Imp and the Sunbeam Imp Sport.

[@steved3702]

Ford Australia used to do that, though by that time the management of it was pretty sophisticated. It wasn't like they did a morning of AU Fairmonts like Betty before wagons in the afternoon, it was a total mix of trim, colour, body (sedan, LWB sedan, coupe utility, wagon and, at various times, panel vans or Territory SUVs) and options. Taxi-spec and police-spec models often thrown in for good measure. My Territory (as featured by Ian when he was here) was ordered with the options I wanted and turned out to be the only one ever ordered with that precise combination.

[@MorristheMinor]

@@steved3702 I think the big problem with Linwood was the telex would go out of sync with the assembly line and caused no end of problems. Might you the pneumatic system in early models didn't help the reputation of the Imp, much either.

[@kevinfitz8516]

What a gorgeous car, probably ahead of its time.

[@gazonatrike7005]

A car I will sadly never own but always wanted, Dad was a Ford man so I had to miss out then too.

[@jennydonne8946]

My grandad had a turquoise Hillman Hunter with a black vinyl roof and turquoise fabric seats, hearing the engine and exhaust note reminded me of that, Happy memories being taken out in it as a child

[@davidy80]

Awesome choice for a road test Ian. My father had a dark blue Rapier when I was 7 or 8 years old, and I absolutely loved it. The back seat was fine for a child, with the added bonus of the unobstructed view when the front and back windows were down.

[@7rorre]

The stability of your shots is amazing.

[@michaeltutty1540]

I remember when these were sold here in Canada. My Great-Aunt and Uncle had a sedan, but I'm not sure if it was the Hillman or Sunbeam. This is back about 1971, after all. I really loved the style of these Rootes cars. Later I came to appreciate them for what they are. Really lovely.

[@richardparkersmith4810]

A mate of mine worked in Fleet Sales at Roots Group and had the use of an H120 and took 3 of us out in it. Pretty fast for its day and he nearly managed to turn it over in a long downhill right-hander. Luckily the back end came out dutifully and with a bit of opposite lock he was able to save the day.

[@Sandy-dd4le]

Lovely car. For anyone who has one of these, or anything similar, particularly in Scotland, try Chic Doig for parts

[@sdry1688]

Another great episode. My 1975 Motor Show guide has the standard Rapier at £2540 and the H120 at £2870 , however it also has the more modern looking Celica ST at only £2336 and Mk2 Capris starting at £1800 or the new VW Scirocco starting at £2450 - The Rapier was a great car for the late 60s but beginning to lose its shine by the end of production - My Dad had the previous gen Rapier till he died in 69, I remember him looking across the carpark to the 'new' model and remarking what a beauty it was.

[@mrpcb2566]

I used to see one of these in aquamarine blue metallic when I was about 7 or 8 years old. It was a neighbor of my Grandmother. It seemed so stylish and exotic amongst all the brown and beige box shaped mainstream stuff. Thank you very much for posting.

[@rich_edwards79]

I saw one in metallic blue at a car show around 20 years ago and fell in love with that drop dead gorgeous styling. Sadly whilst at the time they were relatively plentiful and could be had for a couple of hundred quid, they were also all absolutely riddled with rot (like most 1970s British iron.) Still much rather have one than a Capri. That rear end just works so well and the overall proportions of the car are delightful.

[@tonys1636]

2 litre and above Capri's could wag their tails easily on an uneven surface if not tuned into them. The wife used to frighten me at times in hers, she loved it when I was almost sh**ting my pants!

[@cogidubnus1953]

@@tonys1636 Marina Coupes used to be renowned for that as you went through fifty and only settled down when you got above sixty or so

[@asensibleyoungman2978]

I have met a pensioner online.

[@cogidubnus1953]

@@asensibleyoungman2978 congratulations!

[@rhys_thomss7013]

Hi Ian I thought you were brilliant on good morning Britain and nice videos

[@MattBrownbill]

All the HubNut merch will have 'As Seen On TV' now. 😁

[@rhys_thomss7013]

@@MattBrownbill yes

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

Enjoyed! Thank you for excellant cameo on the Rapier!😅

[@grayfool]

My father had a Hunter too. A 1500 DL saloon in off White. Wowser. I found it very dull and was very envious of a Rapier that lived just around the corner from us.

[@greatbritannialine]

Fantastic car and video :D I cant get over how nice that gear change looked and how amazing it sounded :D

[@hannahmillington5781]

When cars had style and used to look different from eachother! Joyous times

[@g-man8705]

Great review. Thank you!

[@gleng6812]

Great review, really enjoyed this. Many thanks 👍

[@cootason]

what a fantastic restoration. well presented mate and thanks for sharing your test run with us.

[@matthewc.419]

I well remember the gear stick and its positioning.......well cool

[@daniellee9015]

Absolutely beautiful car I love it Brilliant video Ian 👍

[@philjamieson5572]

What a beautiful car, and a gorgeous colour scheme too. Thanks for putting this on here.

[@peteiswriteingnow]

Really enjoyed watching this my 3rd car was a metallic dark grey automatic one of these, brought it in 78 had it 3 years, did have a bit of rust in later years but what didn't in the 70s. had to buy a few spares but every thing from the Hunter which there was more about then fitted. I just loved the shape different from every thing else then, not like now take the badge of most cars and you would not know what make it was.

[@JS-1983]

Great to see Rootes cars 👍 This is beautiful car in very nice colour and makes right noises 😎 I have also old-fashioned organ-style gas pedal in my 2013 Kia Ceed 😄

[@digitalvelvet]

Like when you see a picture of someone you`ve pretty much forgotten and you go "Oh yeah.." Thats what it felt like seeing this handsome thing again.

[@STORMCLOUDGREY]

Great looking car. Not sure if Capris ever had overdrive but 1970s TVRs fitted with the Essex V6 definitely did.

[@alexcassell4527]

Really well made video Ian, you've made significant changes in the delivery and camera work which make watching your reviews even more pleasant. well done, keep up the good work!

[@PurityVendetta]

A very enjoyable little road test, thanks. I've been really busy with a project for the last few weeks so nice to come back to such a nice car.

[@legambaz]

Beautiful car. I'm speechless how amazingly well it's kept.

[@frankie6849]

Beautiful Car enjoyed watching thank you

[@JohnnyPaton]

Nice review Ian. Always liked these and a very nice example.

[@levelcrossing150]

This is a lovely car and sounds good. I used to work on these new when I worked at a Chrysler Main dealers. They were always a class car with no issues and drove very well.

[@Captain_Scarlet_SIG]

Lovely car in beautiful condition and speaking from experience you wouldn’t want to chuck a Capri down the road in the wet it’s liable to leave it.

[@johnmoncrieff3034]

In 1964/5 there was a Plymouth Barracuda in the experimental department at Humber Road, and it was very much examined by the Styling department (including Roy Axe). I was there at the time & did many of the blueprint drawings for the Arrow range!

[@TheStobb50]

Absolutely beautiful cars Rapia /alpines my friends dad had one he loved it, and when found out they were getting phased out he traded it in for a new one but it wasn’t as good as the older one he pointed out to me you can put your finger inside of the wing and poke it and seen the shape of your finger the Metal was so thin he was disappointed eventually sold it and bought a Datsun instead. Great video, thank you very much, you’re sent me on a trip down memory lane

[@kevinw8258]

Great video, thank you👍 I love these cars, my dad had one and I loved it, happy memories 😊

[@Greywolf1066]

Lovely car,great vid!

[@LarryBees]

REview Much Better than Any Top Gear Etc Ian ... compulsive viewing Remember them aged 20😀

[@phrayzar]

Sees Sunbeam Rapier in Hubnut thumbnail, makes squealing noise and fumbles to get it started. My dad had an aqua blue one. I have memories of gearbox issues, but I was always blown away by the pillar less windows.

[@gerardbooth40]

Oh wow. I so remember these as a kid. My dad had a Hunter estate. Thanks for the review of a marvellous motor Ian.

[@linuxgreybeard9945]

Thank you so much Ian for reviewing this beautiful example. As a young lad I was captivated by the looks and styling of the Rapier and dreamt of owning one. Sadly, I didn't get the opportunity, but today, you have helped me fulfill that dream.

[@danieleregoli812]

***OMG****what a BEAUTY!!!!!! Love this car!!!!

[@laffin04]

this is the car that has topped my wishlist since i was a kid in the 60's

[@mousecat9398]

In 1981 we found one of these dumped in a car park at the back of a church hall…It had already been hot wired and at 14 years old we would take it out at night and drive around Billericay joy riding….However we drove sensibly and took it back every evening…Filled it with fuel…..We liked it…lovely old motor.

[@buttguy]

that interior!!!!! I'm in love.

[@paulpattison2592]

You mentioned New Zealand, which reminded me straight away of hiring a locally-built Hunter in 1976 (built by Todd Motors, I recall), which was a bit of a parts-bin special : front end was Sceptre, rear was final edition Hunter with all the alloy trim, but the most obvious characteristic was that the high-back front seats had horizontal stitching on one and vertical stitching on the other !

[@garryentropy]

great vid as always

[@MrBEAR55100]

Stunning exhaust note!!

[@realnutteruk1]

I remember sometime around 1978-80, an article in Electronics Today International magazine, on how to build a windscreen wiper "robot" to give your car variable intermittent wipers!

[@mikemartin2957]

Ha ha , yes around this time Unipart offered a device like you describe which could be fitted to any 12 volt negative earth car & was available through BL/ Unipart shops ,Halfords & MDC ( motorists discount centre's) & was made by Pecktron in Derbyshire . It was a plastic cased relay with lucar terminals & " can be fitted in minutes" The advert was frequently in Car Mechanics & Practical Motorists magazine's till about 1982.

[@philjameson292]

I used to see one every day on the way to school in the late 70s. For the time it looked really good and I have to say that it's aged really well. It's got more of a classic 60s vibe

[@johnfalkenstine8377]

I had a friend in Georgia who had one and it was the only one I ever saw in the States. It was a good driver and never gave trouble.

[@lawrencew]

Great review! My dad had two. A dark blue J reg and light blue metallic H reg. Owned them from '74 through to' 82..... And yes, we went on holiday to France in one. 😎

[@justinjoyit13]

My Dad had one when they were new- the H120 in that colour. I loved that car- it did the Ton on the M1 in Belfast. My mum made him sell it as there were six kids to consider fitting in it- which it did not of course- even when sat on laps. We then got the Hunter GLS, which was still too small, but we would be squeezed in regardless. That car didn't last long as it was 'stolen' by the IRA and they put a bomb in it...but, I guess it also did the Ton- just in every direction...

[@chrisweddle2577]

Thank you! What a beautiful car! I'm so glad you finally got to review one. My dad had two of them, the second one was exactly that colour, though he later had it resprayed BRG after an accident. Those side stripes and wheels wouldn't have been on the standard Rapier, they look like they are off an H120. I really hope to get hold of one of these some day.

[@drd6416]

Omg I remember these from when I was a kid...and I wanted a black and silver one some guy had nearby..... ! Was on about old cars like this a few days ago too.... Wonderful stuff Ian...

[@984francis]

Your channel is getting back to it's Routes!

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Excellent review Ian I remember seeing a white one years ago in Derby.

[@MrChris1316]

Thank yo so much totally made my day, I've been in love with rapier since I first saw one in mortons in Coventry as a v young boy, always wanted one but sadly the one rooted or chrysler I've never owned. After your test I want one even more, FYI there was a video of a rally rapier on here and hopefully still is. As usual u have come thru for me. As one Midlands lad to another thanks so much.

[@MrChris1316]

O typical the misspelled words are thanks to my hwawei rootes of course. Many thanks, still regret missing you in bognor.

[@bentullett6068]

It's a beautiful car. It's a bit like a mini Jensen Interceptor/ Buick Riviera. Sounds lovely as well